“What’s that?” you say with a combination of incredulity and needlework lust. Well, kiddos, let me hip you to the idea…

You want to embroider someone special’s face onto something, so you contact isewcute and June turns a photo into a pattern (in three different sizes) so that you can embroider to your heart’s content.

But as cool as that explanation is, I still wanted to know more about the person behind I Sew Cute… So I suggested an interview, and got it in spades.

June, about the custom work, does the customer sign-off on the finished design/piece before payment, or is it a surprise when it arrives?

The customer is involved throughout the whole process. We discuss what they want. I let them know what I can do… colors/materials… as well as how long it will take to create it. Prices are similar to the items already listed. I don’t charge more for a custom order over a non custom order. Payment up front depends on if it’s something I can sell if the customer chooses to opt out… but, thankfully, that hasn’t happened yet.

I do guarantee that they will be happy with my work & do all I can to make the vision they have in their head become real. I take photos throughout the process & keep the customer updated. They’re a lot more work than just creating whatever I dream up, but they’re more rewarding as well because I know a custom order is going to mean so much to the person receiving it. It’s a very personal experience.

What’s the strangest or most surprising custom pattern request that you’ve ever had?

Jim Ross. He was so fun to draw because he has a very interesting face. I work very hard to capture someone with real expression in their eyes & make them look lively. It’s a great challenge every time.

I don’t want you to think I’m crazy or being negative, but the Jim Ross answer had me snort Diet Coke out of my nose — it’s that awesome! Did they make a dish towel? A pillow? Oh, that’s just too cool!

Not negative at all! I’ll take the diet coke snort as a compliment! I do wish that customer would’ve sent me a customer appreciation photo, because I’d love to see it stitched. I check on Flickr to see if he’ll posted it — and, yep, you read right, it was for a he. I adore my manbroiderer friends!

Do you/have you ever done any pinups or more risque sorts of designs/works?

Sure! I love pinups! So long as they’re coy & playful; I don’t care for truly vulgar designs. I have sketchbooks full of girls in various stages of completeness from thumbnail sketches to finished ink drawings.
These are examples of a couple of things I’ve embroidered:

Do you sell patterns for your pin-up designs? I didn’t see any at your store last time…

I should get some listed, because I haven’t any up now, but do have that custom listing where I would create a pattern for anyone of anything they’d like. I’ll have to work on getting those pinup patterns listed!

What are the most popular patterns you have?

Definitely the personal custom embroidery pattern. It can be anything you want it to be! A favorite pet, family member, or celebrity.

Do you sell finished embroidered works, or just the patterns?

Right now just the patterns, but I do have plans to sell my embroidered art this Spring.

Now, I collect vintage lingerie, which means, technically, that I buy (and, yes, wear) used lingerie — but that is nowhere near “raggedy” underwear. The only holes are those made by the manufacturer, thankyouverymuch.